CHESS40 العربية

Develop your pieces

Knights and bishops out, quickly

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Step 1

Development means bringing the pieces out from their first squares toward the centre. In the opening, each move should bring a new piece into play.

White: King e1, Queen d1, Rook a1, Rook h1, Bishop c1, Bishop f1, Knight b1, Knight g1, Pawn a2, Pawn b2, Pawn c2, Pawn d2, Pawn e2, Pawn f2, Pawn g2, Pawn h2. Black: King e8, Queen d8, Rook a8, Rook h8, Bishop c8, Bishop f8, Knight b8, Knight g8, Pawn a7, Pawn b7, Pawn c7, Pawn d7, Pawn e7, Pawn f7, Pawn g7, Pawn h7.a8b7c6d5e4f3g2h1

Step 2

A model start: two pawns in the centre, then knights and bishops out, ready to castle.

White: King e1, Queen d1, Rook a1, Rook h1, Bishop c1, Bishop f1, Knight b1, Knight g1, Pawn a2, Pawn b2, Pawn c2, Pawn d2, Pawn e2, Pawn f2, Pawn g2, Pawn h2. Black: King e8, Queen d8, Rook a8, Rook h8, Bishop c8, Bishop f8, Knight b8, Knight g8, Pawn a7, Pawn b7, Pawn c7, Pawn d7, Pawn e7, Pawn f7, Pawn g7, Pawn h7.a8b7c6d5e4f3g2h1
Before
White: King e1, Queen d1, Rook a1, Rook h1, Bishop c4, Bishop c1, Knight c3, Knight f3, Pawn e4, Pawn a2, Pawn b2, Pawn c2, Pawn d2, Pawn f2, Pawn g2, Pawn h2. Black: King e8, Queen d8, Rook a8, Rook h8, Bishop c8, Bishop c5, Knight c6, Knight f6, Pawn a7, Pawn b7, Pawn c7, Pawn d7, Pawn f7, Pawn g7, Pawn h7, Pawn e5.a8b7c6d5e4f3g2h1
After

The moves: 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bc4 Nf6 4. Nc3 Bc5

Step 3

White to play. Which is the best developing move?

White: King e1, Queen d1, Rook a1, Rook h1, Bishop c1, Bishop f1, Knight b1, Knight g1, Pawn e4, Pawn a2, Pawn b2, Pawn c2, Pawn d2, Pawn f2, Pawn g2, Pawn h2. Black: King e8, Queen d8, Rook a8, Rook h8, Bishop c8, Bishop f8, Knight b8, Knight g8, Pawn a7, Pawn b7, Pawn c7, Pawn d7, Pawn f7, Pawn g7, Pawn h7, Pawn e5.a8b7c6d5e4f3g2h1
  1. Nf3: a new piece out, attacking e5
  2. Qh5: the queen out early
  3. a3: a pawn move on the edge
Show the answer

Answer: Nf3: a new piece out, attacking e5

Step 4

Two common mistakes: moving the same piece again and again, and bringing the queen out early. The opponent gains time by developing while chasing her.

Step 5

After ten moves, all of Black's knights and bishops are still at home. What is wrong?

An empty boarda8b7c6d5e4f3g2h1
  1. Black is behind in development
  2. Nothing: pieces are safest at home
  3. Black should move the king first
Show the answer

Answer: Black is behind in development

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